Everyone probably remembers being told to sit up straight. Posture is something that is both medically important and also socially regulated. However, for those suffering from spinal disorders, poor posture may be the result of something more serious than a bad attitude or a broken chair. Through multilevel spinal fusion, there is now new hope for people who have these disorders.
This method of intervention involves the artificial joining of two or more vertebrae. The vertebrae are the individual bones in the human backbone. They are separated by discs of cartilage. The vertebral column extends all the way from the pelvis up into the base of the head. Any problem with the backbone therefore affects motion and posture.
Common disorders of the spine are those such as scoliosis or kyphosis, which are both easily recognisable by the distorted posture that they cause. Sometimes, a cartilage disc may shift out of place (herniation, usually referred to as a slipped disc), or external trauma may result in a fractured vertebra. Over time, the cartilage may also disappear, allowing bone to touch bone. These problems are treatable through the process of vertebral merging. It may also be applied to cases of severe back pain.
The main concept behind this treatment is that, in certain circumstances, bone tissue will knit together with other bone tissue to form a permanent join. By providing artificial prompting, two vertebrae are caused to grow together. At present, the treatment utilises two processes to make this happen. The first, namely posterolateral fusing, involves the insertion of a bone graft into the transverse processes (the little bone spikes) of the vertebral column, and then the application of metal screws to assist in the join. The other process, known as interbody fusion, entails the insertion of a synthetic disc between two vertebrae. The cartilage is either so deteriorated that the practitioner entirely removes it, or it is absent. The adjacent bone edges then fuse. If both processes are applied in the same case, the treatment is termed 360-degree.
The term multilevel merely refers to how many vertebrae get joined in the procedure. A single connection between two vertebrae is known as single level. Multi means that there is more than one join in the procedure. The spaces between the vertebrae are called levels, hence the name of the procedure. A procedure involving three or more levels is rare.
It is important to note that the insertion of the pedicle screws requires practice and specific training. Also, the synthetic discs come in different materials, so patients should be properly informed as to what options are available to them and what would best suit their specific situation.
As with practically any new treatment procedure, there is some controversy around the fusion approach, so it is important to have the right information.
This method of intervention involves the artificial joining of two or more vertebrae. The vertebrae are the individual bones in the human backbone. They are separated by discs of cartilage. The vertebral column extends all the way from the pelvis up into the base of the head. Any problem with the backbone therefore affects motion and posture.
Common disorders of the spine are those such as scoliosis or kyphosis, which are both easily recognisable by the distorted posture that they cause. Sometimes, a cartilage disc may shift out of place (herniation, usually referred to as a slipped disc), or external trauma may result in a fractured vertebra. Over time, the cartilage may also disappear, allowing bone to touch bone. These problems are treatable through the process of vertebral merging. It may also be applied to cases of severe back pain.
The main concept behind this treatment is that, in certain circumstances, bone tissue will knit together with other bone tissue to form a permanent join. By providing artificial prompting, two vertebrae are caused to grow together. At present, the treatment utilises two processes to make this happen. The first, namely posterolateral fusing, involves the insertion of a bone graft into the transverse processes (the little bone spikes) of the vertebral column, and then the application of metal screws to assist in the join. The other process, known as interbody fusion, entails the insertion of a synthetic disc between two vertebrae. The cartilage is either so deteriorated that the practitioner entirely removes it, or it is absent. The adjacent bone edges then fuse. If both processes are applied in the same case, the treatment is termed 360-degree.
The term multilevel merely refers to how many vertebrae get joined in the procedure. A single connection between two vertebrae is known as single level. Multi means that there is more than one join in the procedure. The spaces between the vertebrae are called levels, hence the name of the procedure. A procedure involving three or more levels is rare.
It is important to note that the insertion of the pedicle screws requires practice and specific training. Also, the synthetic discs come in different materials, so patients should be properly informed as to what options are available to them and what would best suit their specific situation.
As with practically any new treatment procedure, there is some controversy around the fusion approach, so it is important to have the right information.
About the Author:
Neil P. Hines is passionate about providing intelligent, unbiased and highly relevant medical information for people dealing with a wide range of pain conditions and related orthopedic needs, including back pain, knee pain, joint replacements, sports medicine, lumbar fusion and more. If you are interested in learning more about lumbar fusion specialists Philadelphia he recommends that you visit his friends at St. Mary Medical Center.
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